How to C.A.T.C.H Phishing Emails

Avoid Phishing Scams: Steps to Identify and Protect Yourself

Follow these steps to better protect yourself from Phishing Emails

Check the sender: Verify the sender’s email address for authenticity. Look for anomalies: Phishing emails often come from addresses that appear legitimate but have subtle changes, e.g., support@grandrapid.tec instead of support@grandrapids.tech

Mismatched domains: Legitimate organizations rarely send emails from free services like Gmail or Yahoo.

Analyze the content: Look for poor grammar, urgent language, or unrealistic offers.

Urgency or threats: Phrases like “Your account will be suspended unless…” are designed to pressure you into action.

Too good to be true: Promises of large sums of money or prizes often signal a scam.

Think before clicking: Hover over links to inspect their destination before clicking. Without clicking, hover over any link to reveal the URL. If the link doesn’t match the supposed sender's legitimate site, it’s likely phishing.

Suspicious attachments: Files like .exe, .scr, or unexpected documents could contain malware.

Confirm with the source: Contact the company or individual directly using official channels if unsure. Generic greetings: Emails that start with “Dear Customer” or lack your name are red flags.

Unusual requests for personal information: Legitimate companies rarely ask for sensitive information (e.g., passwords, SSNs) via email.

Halt and report: Stop interacting with the email and report it as phishing to your email provider. If something feels off, don’t engage. Instead: Contact the organization directly using official contact information. Avoid replying, clicking links, or downloading attachments.